The Australian Bureau of Statistics is looking for Database Administrators and Senior Database Administrators to join our Data, Middleware & Analytics team within the Security & Infrastructure Branch.
These are permanent, ongoing positions located in either Belconnen (Canberra) or Docklands (Melbourne), although a hybrid model of working from home and the office applies.
About the business area
Our branch builds, delivers and maintains ICT infrastructure and platforms in support of ABS’ mission of collecting, collating, and disseminating official statistics to support decision making across Australia’s public and private sectors.
The Data, Middleware and Analytics team are responsible for the design, implementation, administration and maintenance of ABS’ web, middleware, application and data hosting technology stack. This stack includes:
- application load balancing and firewalling
- web application platforms
- data management and analytics platforms
- database management services/systems.
The team helps build integrated, secure and robust solutions while working with key stakeholders, including ABS technical and business teams, application development teams and strategic vendors.
About the roles
As a Database Administrator or Senior Database Administrator your responsibilities may include the following:
- engage with business and technical stakeholders to provide technical advice and make recommendations based on requirements
- develop and maintain secure solutions in accordance with established good practices and patterns, including reviews of existing ABS database services to make recommendations for improvement
- troubleshoot database incidents, identify root cause, resolve and document problems and implement preventative measures
- prepare and maintain appropriate documentation on good practices regarding database deployment, maintenance and general operations
- maintain database knowledge and skills.
In addition to the above, as a Senior Database Administrator your responsibilities may also include the following:
- manage service requests and plan priorities
- supervise, train and develop less experienced staff
- undertake more complex tasks, including performing mitigative activities in a timely manner
- keep apprised of emerging tools, trends and methodologies to continuously enhance existing systems and processes.
What we are looking for (selection criteria)
To be suitable you should have most or all of the following skills, qualities and experience:
- ability to plan, develop, configure, administer, maintain and support database management systems, specifically Oracle and/or SQL databases; this includes, but is not limited to:
o installing and upgrading databases, including patch management
o addressing user requirements and ensuring optimal database integrity, security, back up, reliability and performance
o drafting and maintaining procedures and documentation for databases
o contributing to the setting of standards for definition, security and integrity of database objects and ensuring conformance to these standards
o monitoring database activity and resource usage
- good communication, negotiation and influencing skills, including ability to provide both sound technical advice and support for database services relating to best practice for design, installation, deployment, configuration and, if applicable, hardening activities
- ability to establish, participate in and maintain relationships with stakeholders and vendors, including escalating and managing resolution of major issues
- good technical and analytical / troubleshooting skills with the ability to work in an environment of ambiguity and constant technical change.
The following will also be highly regarded for both roles:
- experience with and/or relevant industry certifications in:
o public cloud platform database services and administration:
• Amazon Web Services (AWS RDS, Aurora)
• Microsoft Azure (SQL PaaS/SaaS, including Managed Instances and Serverless Compute Tier)
• Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
o change and release management processes
- willingness to learn and support other database management systems, including Oracle, SQL and public cloud platform database services (see above)
- capacity to participate in a roster to provide technical support for critical incidents outside of core business hours (on-call allowance provided).
How to apply
To apply, you will need to upload your current resume, provide referee details and respond to the following:
Provide one or two examples of projects you have delivered, or major pieces of work that you have been involved in.
Refer to the selection criteria and attempt to incorporate all criteria in your response. Please limit your response to 500 words.
Applications close at 11:30 p.m. (AEST), Wednesday 22nd May 2024.